CRC/C/15/Add.191
page 5
20.
The Committee recommends that the State party should, as a priority,
systematically collect disaggregated data incorporating all the areas covered by the
Convention and covering all children below the age of 18 years, with specific emphasis on
those who are in need of special protection. The State party should also develop indicators
to effectively monitor and evaluate progress achieved in the implementation of the
Convention and assess the impact of policies that affect children. In this context, the
Committee recommends that the State party seek technical assistance from UNICEF.
Training/dissemination of the Convention
21.
The Committee welcomes the efforts undertaken by the State party to disseminate the
Convention and to train professionals working with and for children, in line with its previous
recommendation (ibid., para. 21). However, the Committee is of the opinion that the measures
to create widespread awareness and understanding of the principles and provisions of the
Convention need to be further strengthened and implemented in an ongoing, systematic manner.
22.
The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a)
Continue and strengthen its efforts to provide adequate and systematic
training and/or sensitization on children’s rights to professional groups working with and
for children, such as parliamentarians, judges, lawyers, law enforcement and health
personnel, teachers, school administrators and others as required;
(b)
Continue to develop more creative methods to promote the Convention,
including through audio-visual aids, such as picture books and posters, in particular at
local level, and through the media.
Cooperation with NGOs
23.
The Committee welcomes the improvement in relation between the Government and civil
society with increased cooperation between the Government and NGOs. However, the
Committee remains concerned that insufficient efforts have been made to involve civil society in
the implementation of the Convention following a rights-based approach.
24.
The Committee emphasizes the important role civil society plays as a partner in
implementing the provisions of the Convention, including with respect to civil rights and
freedoms, and reiterates its recommendations (ibid., para. 18) that the State party promote
closer cooperation with NGOs and, in particular, to consider involving NGOs, especially
rights-based ones, and other sectors of civil society working with and for children more
systematically throughout all stages of the implementation of the Convention.
2. Definition of the child
25.
The Committee is concerned that despite its previous recommendation (ibid., para. 17)
there remain disparities in the minimum age of marriage for boys (18) and girls (17). It is also
concerned that there is no clearly defined minimum legal age for sexual consent.